The Academy of Certified Social Workers Competence Certification Board records consist of meeting minutes and agendas, correspondence,
and reports, that document the activities of this body during the early 1980s. Included is information about the establishment
and oversight of certification standards for social workers, and the design of the certification examination administered
by the Educational Testing Service. The records also provide some information about general activities carried out by the
Board in its relationship with the National Association of Social Workers and the Academy of Certified Social Workers, including
membership issues and general social work education.

Background

The Competence Certification Board (CCB), in the period covered by these records, had as its principle responsibility the
oversight of NASW's Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW) program. The ACSW exam, given twice yearly, was begun in 1973,
resulting by 1979 in an ACSW membership of 47,000, with approximately 4,000 new members admitted each year. NASW had originally
set up CCB as a separate corporation in 1961, to avoid any appearance of conflict of interest in conducting examinations which
would give credentials only to NASW members. In the early 1970's, before ACSW examinations began, CCB's separate incorporation
was dissolved by NASW, in a move that remained controversial throughout the 1970s.

Extent

0.42 linear ft.
1 box

Restrictions

The use of archival materials for on-site research does not constitute permission from the California Social Welfare Archives
to publish them. Copyright has not been assigned to the California Social Welfare Archives, and the researcher is instructed
to obtain permission from the copyright holder to quote from or publish manuscripts in the CSWA's collections.